EXTRATERRESTRIALS AND INTRATERRESTRIALS IN ISLAM
By Nadeem Haque https://www.academia.edu/38459607/Extraterrestrials_and_Intraterrestrials_in_Islam
Part 1: Extraterrestrials in Islam
People of Earth your attention please… This is Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz of the Galactic Hyperspace Planning Council… As you will no doubt be aware the plans for development of the outlying regions of the Galaxy require the building of a hyperspatial express route through your star system and regrettably your planet is one of those scheduled for demolition. The process will take slightly less than two of your Earthminutes. Thank you. – From The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
In academic circles, when the captivating question of the possible existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life is debated, the validity of religions which view humans as the only intelligent or superior species that God has created, is seriously undermined. Mistakenly, Islam is included in this list of “undermined religions”. However rather than undermining Islam, the possible discovery of extraterrestrials would actually reinforce and dramatically confirm that which is already contained in the Qur’an. In this article we provide an overview of the Islamic perspective onthis subject.
We Are Not Alone!
According to Islam we are certainly not alone. The Qur’an (chapter/Surah 42, verse/ayah 29, i.e., 42:29) states: “And among His signs is the creation of the heavens[2] and the Earth and whatever corporeal creatures [dabbatin] that He has dispersed in both of them. He is able to gather them together when He wills [idha yashao].”
There are several points that need to be elaborated upon with respect to this key passage. First, in the Qur’an the word dabbat or dabbatin refers to an entity that is comprised of and/or evolved from water, and it is stated that God has created every dabbat from water (dabbatin min ma-in) (see 24:45). The word dabbat also denotes any sentient corporeal being capable of spontaneous movement.3 Second, this passage states that life in this universe is widespread. Third, it portrays that one day some time in the future we will communicate and/or meet with extraterrestrial beings and that this will be one of the signs of the Creator—signs of design, wonder and power whichreflect the Intelligence that originated the universe and its stellar inhabitants.
